The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-17
THE TRAMP PROBLEM.
Magnitude of the Evil I'm Towns Near koch-
ester. N. Y.

Magnitude of the Evil I'm Towns Near Roch-
ester, n. Y.
1.-The trouble which people exper-
ience from the tramps that infest the
outskirts of Rochester is nothing to
what the country people have to en-
dure, "said farmer to Il Post-EGpress
reporter. They pass through our
town in swarms. l think that Pernon
must be the state headquarters for the
tramp fraternity. Our wives and
daughters are in constant danger from
their bold lawlessness. During the
summer the former are of necessity
much alone, and hence the danger is
all the greater. In my own case, as
the house is some distance from any
other habitation, we seem to receive
more than our share of attention from
the critters. Hardly a day passes,
summer or winter, but one OF two APP
pear at our door. and demand food OIL
shelter. Since the Stone tragedy, our
people retire within doors whenever
they see stranger approaching. II
seems to me that now is as good time
as any to see if something can not be
done to ahate this nuisance Anyone
who will attempt it may be assured OF
hearty cooperation from every farmer
in the State"
County Superintendent McGonegal
said TO the reporter: '.Would you be-
lieve that Monroe county alone pays
! nearly 81 900 per year toward foster
! ing and increasing this tramp nui-
sance? Strange as it may appear.
such is the case. Last year 2,l84
tramps were given food and a nights
lodging at the various poor-houses
throughout the county.
''rhey came along in droves." con-
tinued the superintendent. ''some-
times as many as dozen or twenty at
| once. They know when to apply.
They will make their appearance be-
| tween and IL o'clock in the evening.
and demand food and shelter. In the
summer, of course, it is refused them.
but during the cold winter it is taking
| quite a responsibility to refuse to
shield a man from the cold and snow.
Then if the poormaster does refuse TO
harbor the tramps. he is sure to hear
from it; for the fellows Immediately go
to the farmhouses and ask to be al
lowed to sleep in the barns, saying
that they have been refused shelter at
the poor Office Then the people make
a fuss and come down upon the over
seer. Ii should order the poormas-
ters to refuse to receive these tramps,
and one of them should be found cold
and stiff by the roadside | would be
placed in an unpleasant position, for
should then be morally, if not legally
responsible for that man ; death. Yet
the course at present pursued is foster
ing tremendous evil upon the com
munity. The nuisance is increasing
every year. The figures for 1881
have not yet been made out. but there
is every indication that they will equa
if not exceed those already given. AL
most all of these tramps are able
bodied men, and if they do not worl
| it is because they find il life of travel
adventure, and perhaps of crime more
pleasant and exciting than any other
! Ii they were refused support or assist
ance It Wnuld soon kill the tramp;ng
business. Several years ago they
seemed to make the poor-hoHses her'
their headquarters. put stop to it
and you observe that but 50 were shell
, tered here during 1885, | remembe
/ | the night when made the first NOV
, to make them cease coming here. i
/ was warm spring evening when
went up to the almshouse, ami l asked
the man in charge how many he hat
already taken in. 1t was only 6 o'cloel
but twenty of them had been admitted
, | called them out and told them tha
We were going to stop receiving them
While was talking five more came
aud as the gang were going over TIL
!. hill we saw them meet half ii dn2el
more. They stopped and talked witt
1 them a minute and they also turned
back. Well, sir, in Il week they stnppel
coming altogether and we now onl,
: take them in in extreme cases.
at seems to me-" continued Mr.
. | McGonegal, ''that public sentiment
ripe for revival of movemen
!; started ten years. ago. | introduced
bill into the Legislature thrangh on
assemblyman providing that ever,
! able-bodied tramp who applied at tn
,, poor-houses of the State for shelte
, should be arrested and set to work il
the penitentiary. 1t was dcfeate,
!. then az too harsh q measure, but il
the light of recent events it seems t
me that our lawmakers would not no,
take the same view of it. There is n
I question about it. The tramp busi
ness must be stopped in one way O
D another. 1t is growing evil and un
less uprooted may result in worse con
sequences than it has yet involved
This tramp army must be suppressed
and know from a long experienc
with the fraternity that no gentle o
I halfway measures will accomplis
this result. =,